NEPTUNE - An 86-year-old Spring Lake Heights man died within an hour of a crash on Route 18 in Neptune Thursday, the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office said.

Malcolm Ryder was the front passenger of a 2005 Honda Accord driven by Gladys Strong, 47, of Brick Township. They were heading north in the right lane of Route 18.

A 2000 Jeep Grand Cherokee, driven by a 17-year-old Avon girl, was merging onto Route 18 north from Route 33 about 2:30 p.m. when the Jeep and the Honda collided, according to the statement from the Prosecutor's Office.

Medics rushed Ryder to Jersey Shore University Medical Center in Neptune where he was pronounced dead at 3:22 p.m. from injuries suffered in the crash.

Strong was also taken to the medical center for treatment of "moderate injuries," the Prosecutor's Office said. The 17-year-old driver was uninjured.

The crash remains under investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Monmouth County Serious Collision Analysis Response Team and Neptune Township Police Department.

Police are urging anyone who witnessed the accident or has information to assist the investigative team to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Kristian DeVito at 800-533-7443 or Neptune Township Police Officer Jason Rademacher at 732-988-8000 ext. 765.